7-9: Deb leaves, and you confront Kate about compensation

"I would like to speak to Kate," you say politely to Deb. "Would you mind giving us the room?"

Deb shrugs grandiosely. "No skin off my teeth," she says, and stands and walks out of the room.

As Deb walks out of the room, Kate looks at you. "What can I do for you, Sean?" she queries.

"I would very much like to speak about compensation," you say quietly.

"Please, come in," Kate replies, gesturing, "and close the door behind you." She walks over to the small table and takes a seat, and after you close the door, you follow suit. Kate nods at the letter in your hands, saying "I see you received your letter," then crosses her legs and places her hands, folded over each other, on her bare knees. "What questions do you have, specifically?"

"Am I not a good employee?" you say neutrally.

"You are a good employee," she replies, equally neutrally.

"Have I not exceeded my targets?"

"You have exceeded your targets."

"Is there a reason why I am not being compensated for this increased performance?" Your voice remains calm and polite, even though you are shouting the thoughts in your head before you let loose your lips.

"There is a reason why you are not being compensated for this increased performance," Kate replies, her voice every bit as controlled as yours. You wait several seconds, but she does not elaborate. For the briefest moment, you see a twinkle in her eye, a momentary smile that she does not allow to reach the muscles of her face, but which she cannot stop entirely. Clearly, she is enjoying this game of an exchange.

"Would you please explain that reason, so that I can adjust my behavior appropriately and warrant such an increase?"

"I certainly am able to do that. I have a limited increase in budget that I divide as I deem appropriate among my team members, as appropriate to degree by which each performs, and outperforms their other team members. Simply put, the more valuable you are to me and this department, the more value I return to you." Kate's voice is matter of fact and somewhat mechanical, as if she has said these exact things many times before and is repeating them from memory.

You pause a moment. "What about the territories?" you ask. You know, and you know that she knows, that while they are not everything, where you are assigned has a large impact on your success. "I've been here five years now, and I've done well with what is available to me. Will there be any redistribution of assignments?"

She shrugs. "Assignments are correlated to performance. I will evaluate as necessary."

"And is this, perchance, likely to be a necessity soon?"

Kate just shrugs again, maintaining eye contact but saying nothing.

You have 0 XP, -1 Hard, +3 Hot, +1 Cool, -1 Control, Cunnilingus, and Old Habits Die Hard (3). Desire levels: Kate +1, Rachel -1.

Roll +hot (+4: +3 hot, +1 Desire) to seduce Kate.